1869.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 31 



the discussion of the best means of bringing the matter to the favor- 

 able consideration of the authorities who would have to carry out any- 

 proposed changes; and also to consider what, and how great, those 

 changes should be, in order to ensure the successful attainment of the 

 object. The question was fully discussed, and it was decided to address 

 His Excellency the Governor- General, in the matter. As Patron of 

 this Society, and at the same time Chancellor of the University of Cal- 

 cutta, we felt confident of the interest which His Excellency would 

 take in the question. And, as to the means which appeared to us the 

 best adapted to accomplish the end in view, we were quite agreed, 

 that any change must be gradually introduced, since the agency 

 by which these subjects could be taught must in this country be 

 to a large extent created, before there could be any very large 

 extension of such studies. And seeing, not only in this country but 

 in Great Britain, that the Universities were the great object of ambi- 

 tion with all the better class of students, and that the curriculum of 

 studies in the vast majority of Schools was almost entirely regulated 

 by a reference to the University standards, — even when the large 

 majority of the school pupils never intended to proceed to the higher 

 grade of an University training, — we have urged the very simple 

 addition of an elementary knowledge of Natural or Physical Science 

 to the course required from every candidate for matriculation in the 

 University of Calcutta. We were satisfied that if this were demanded, 

 and rendered obligatory with the pupils, the information would be 

 acquired ; that the earlier students would soon become themselves better 

 qualified to teach others ; and that thus gradually, but most surely, a 

 large amount of knowledge would be disseminated, the good effects 

 of which we did not venture to doubt. In this spirit, we addressed 

 His Excellency, and we have since been informed, that His Excellency 

 has laid the question officially before his Council, where, we doubt 

 not, it will receive full and just consideration. 



I conceive that this has been a most legitimate exercise of the 

 influence which the Asiatic Society ought to possess ; and I trust 

 the effect may be as beneficial as we anticipate. And indirectly, 

 I trust also, it may be of essential advantage to the Society itself, in 

 bringing into our ranks, a large number of new recruits, ready to take 

 up arms in the cause of truth. But let us not forget at the same time 



